Apparatus for promoting catalytic reactions



C. R. DOWNS APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING CATALYTIC REACTIONS Oct, 26,1926.

5. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR CHI/W. E5 R DOW/VJ 6X44.

A TTORNEV Oct. 26 1926. 1,604,739

c. R. oowws APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING CATALYTIC REACTIONS Filed Dec. 5, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 UEIUCIUDU DDUDDCIDUD CICIUEI DU 0 EIEIDIJUDCIDDEI BDDCICIDDDEID DDBEDEDUDCI Oct. 26 1926. 1,604,739

c. R. DOWNS APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING CATALYTIC REACTIONS Filed Dec. 5. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY M44 W. M

JTTORNEY Oct. 26 1926.

C. R. DOWNS APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING CATALYTIC REACTIONS 5. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR CHAR! E5 1?. Dan Ms AITORA'EV i on. a,

ratus for ca 'ng out. catalytic reactions and for bonlil t l l l ions.

: was

, ma tras has a imam In carrying'outcertain catalytic reactions. such as reactions. of partial oxidation of 7 pounds, *whichare-stro ly exgeratu're and eep it within lproper limits:

f-the temperature of the cata yet and of the reacting gases is not sulliciently high, the desired reaction either does not take place at tion to .take'place,'and to preventitfrom tion of. the compoun' all, or takes place only. to a small degree.

It is according] necessary to maintain the temperature Eu ciently hi gh for the.- reacfalling below thenry reacti'ontem rature On the' other hand, withgas p ase reactions which, are strongly exothermic; such as reactions of-partial oxidation of oranic compounds, it is essentialto. prevent a temperature from ris ng too high in ord'er to prevent'over-oridat on an destrucdsdesired. .The properrature of such ca alytic;

control of the tem u y 'of-"p m reactions is acco tance, andupon it largely depend t e'deg'ree .of conversion and the yield of the "desired 1 product: The problem of temperature control in the case of vapor hase artialoxida tion of organic compoun in't e presence of atcatalyst is particularly diiiicult, since here oc'cur enormous heat developments with rev 1 -agent's of low specificheat'and poorheat conductivity. a

- 'Itis diflicult' to regulate and control the temperature of suchcatalytic reactions the circulation of cooling fluids through pipes-'orducts dis 40- d throughout the; reaction chamber owmg'to the large amount of Pheat of reaction which must be absorbed,

and the necessit for absorbing this heat without-cooling t 'e reaction chamber below the'- necessa I the cooling uid is'circulated through the rea smaller amount'of much lower temperature, a considerable temperature difi'erence must exist betweenthe reaction temiperature'and the circulating mediuln -in -or er flow. This means'that parts of 'jchamber immediately adj scent-to temperature of reaction. If

action chamber at a temperature-at or near the desired reaction temperature, an excessive'amount of cooling fluid is re uired. I If uid' is. circ ated ata to maintain the r uislte heat e reaction hepipes or mgthe temperature of such proper reactlo :{Eanic 'com trolled ermic, it is important to control e tem' ducts, through which the fluid is being circ'ulated, may be too low-in tam rature for n and that thew ole reaction chamber may drop-below th perature range unless the volume of the coolmg fluid 1s definitely regulated and coni Even whe e fluid is-so regulated} considerable variation in temperature as the heat is transferred from the reaction temrature to the circulating fluid ata at lower-temperature. Furthermore, in-or- TBS-PATENT w madam :m m coirmains-rue rjoa ear-arms usurious.

e proper temthe volumeof' cooling there IS necessarily a r tore late the cooling fluidin any such system (where a -coolin v-flaid is circulated t rough P P S. or ducts there is requiredpractically constant supervision bivalves or latlng means which control the otherre flowoi uid, together with a great many temperature measuring instruments to show temperatures-at various points inthe reac tion chamber, and the operating costs of such aparatus are'high. t

' a, e present invention provides an improved apparatusfor carryin out of cataytrc relations .in which such, ifliculties are overcome, andfwhich enables such reactions to be carried out with substantially continuousand' automatic controlof the reaction 1 temperature. uniformly within reasonable IimitsQreg'ardIeBs of variations in the maction m are, or itsrate of flow or in the condltion of thecatalytic substance. In the-improved-a paratus of the present invention,

use is ma e of the principle that vaporizable liquids will absorb latent heat, without change in temperature, in changin from the liquid to thevrafior state. In app gong-this,

-prlnciple,'acco ing to the present invention, the catalytic apparatus is provided zwith a two phase liquid-vaportemperatu're regulatin system containing va porizable liquid distri uted through the reaction zone in heat' interchanging relation with the catalyst and reacting-gases. a r Bycons'tructing the catalytic. apparatus with a two-phase liquid-vapor .tem erature regulating system, disposed throug out the reaction zone, and by 'providin such a system with means for 'varyin ,an controlling its pressure, and by-the se ection of a suitable liquid for use in the system, it is possible to maintain-theliquid in the reaction 7 zone at a temperature which'is ver near that of the catalytic reaction, i. 0., wit iinthe f temperature range most suitable to form The boiling con ensiu means he made available for the desired products. Such a liquid at its system may be varie and regulated by such boiling oint can absorb large quantities of heat wit tout change of temperature, so long as the pressure remains constant and so long as both phases .(liquid and vapor) are present. Moreover, the liquid when boiling will be at the same temperature even in remote parts of the temperature regulatin system. of the liquid will agitate and uniformly distributethe liquid. J

By providing such a system with suitable for condensing the vaporizedli, uid and returning it to the reaction zone, tie liquid can be continually maintained in a liquid state at its boiling pomt, and the temperature ofthe reaction zone can thereby be maintained constant over long periods of time, inasmuch as the heat of reaction will be absorbed in the boiling and vaporizing of the liquid, and inasmuch as the supply of liquid will be automatically replenished by the condensation of the va ore and the return of the liquid, By provi ing a two-phase cooling system of the character referred to I have found that very little supervision is necessary, since the. absorption of the heat of react on'will go on continually and automatically without temperature change, owing to the boiling'of the liquid under constant pressure.

The liquid which is used in the two-phase liquid-vapor system of the present invention may vary with different catalytic reactions, depending upon the temperature of thereaction and the boiling point of the liquid. The same liquid, however, under different pressures, will have "difierent boiling points. Accordingly, by increasing the ressure on the system, the boiling point 0 the liquid can be increased, and the liquid can thereby controllin the temperature of reactions which re ulre higher temperature. Similarly, by t e maintenance of a vacuum, the boiling point of the liquid can be correspondingly lowered and the liquid thereby made available for the regulation of reactions which take place at a lower temperature. For many purposes mercury possesses special advantages for use as a temperature controlling liquid in the apparatus of the present, invention. The boiling point 0 mercury under atmospheric pressure is 357, 0., and, by increasing or decreasing the pressure, the boiling point can be correspondingly increased or, de creased. For example, by varying the pressure on the system from high vacua to as much as '200 lbs. or more, it becomes possible to control catalytic reactions which vary in temperature from around 250 C. up to around 600 C.

Different pressure controlling and regu lating means can be used for automatically maintaining a constant pressure on the temperature regulating system of the present inmeans as a pressure or vacuum pump provided with suitable regulating and controlling means, or by the use of c 'linders of inart gas, together with suita le regulating valves.

In the carrying out of catalytic reactions on a commercialscale, the catalyzer chambers or converters are necessarily of considerable size, and they must contain a substantial amount of catalyzer, through which ,or in contact with which. the reaction vapors must pass. According to the present invention, the temperature regulating means is intimately distributed throughout the zone of reaction containing the catalyzer, so that all parts of the catalyze! are subjected to the temperature controlling influence of the system. The catalyzer itself may, for example, be contained in a series of se arate small compartments, or in a series 0 se arate layers of small bodies, in intimate utindirect contact with the llquid in the system. The catalyzer'may' be in a more orless loose or granular form adjacent to surfaces that are cooled by the cooling fluid.

One advantageous arrangement of the catalyzer is in the form of a layer or bed through a or into which extend the tubes or compartmerits containing the cooling liquid. Another advantageous arrangement of the catalyst is in tubes or small compartments surrounded by the cooling liquid. The particustem is capable that all parts of the catalyst body will be subjected .to the cooling and temperature controlling influence of-the cooling system and be thereby maintained at thedesircd constant temperature.

-The cooling system itselfis capable of considerable variation in its. construction and arrangement. Valves and regulating means suitable for controlling gas pressure within very close limits are available at low cost and thei'roperation may be entirely automatic, requiring almost no supervision.

The cooling system may, as above indicated,

take the form of a large number of small ipesor tubes extending through or into the ayer or body of catalyst in the reaction zone; or it may take the form of a series of narrow compartments between which the coolin fluid is maintained; or it may take other orm which will serve to distribute the liqu d throughout the reaction zone. Where the cooling system is in the form of tubes or pipes extending throughout the reaction zone, these tubesor pipes are preferably united together or joined to a common head'- A is necessary to action temperature.-

Loos-no er at their'lower ends so that the liquid in the different tub or pipes will. be com tinuous.

' The two-phase cooling system isprovide'd with means for condensin the vaporized li uid and returning it to e reaction zone. atom the cooling system is made 'up of a se ries of pipes containing the cooling liquid, these pipes may be extended and may themselves serve as condensers for condensing the va orized -liquid.- It is more advanta geous, however, to provide separate cooling means, in the form of reflux condensers which may be cooled by the circulation of a cooling fluid such as air or water and which will insure'that all of the vaporized liquid is condensed and returned to the system. Where the liquid in the reaction zone 1s contained in mtercommunicatin tubes or spaces, the return of the 'liqui to any one of the tubes or spaces will insure the maintfiiianceof a substantially constant levcl in Inasmuch as the catalytic reactions, for which the present'apparatus is particularly intended, lflfilllile a high temperature, it

eat the catalytic material gases or vapors to the re- This heating may be brought about by means of a preheater for preheating the gases before they enter the catalytic chamber or compartment. It is an and the reacting 7 important advantage of the present inven-- the temperature tion, however, that the catalytic apparatus itself may be provided with heating ineans for heating the liquid of the temperature regulating system, and thereby heating the catalytic material.

By providing a suitable heater, such as an electric heater, for heating the liquid in controlling system, this liquid can be raised to its boiling point and maintained .at its boiling point, so that the temperature controlling system is adapted to supply an even temperature to the catalyzer material or the reaction zone. The heating of the apparatus in this way enables the reactionzone to be brought to the reaction temperature and to be maintained at the. reaction temperature even where .the heat of reaction may be insufiicientto maintain the desired tern erature and even where the re- .action may endothermic in character, that is, when t e reaction is one that absorbs heat, and inwhich heat must be continually supplied to maintain the reaction tem erature.

From one standpoint, therefore, ratus of the present invention may sidered to be reversible in character it is adapted to maintain a substantially constant and automatic control of the temperature of the reaction irrespective of whether the reaction is strongly exothermic and requires the absorption of a large amount of heat of reaction, or is a reaction which rebe com 'para'tus, section; e appain that quires the stipply of heat thereto.- .In either case, the maintenance of the temperature re ulatmg means at the boiling point of t e liquid, and the substantially unlform distri bution of the temperature regulating means throughoit the reaction zone, ena l tomatic regulation and maintenance of the desiredreaction temperature. It is particularly adapted for strongly actions, such asgasdphase partial oxidation of organic compoun s, for example, the oxidationof benzene to maleic acid, of naphthalene to phthalic anhydride, of toluene to benzaldehyde and .benzoic acid, of, anthraoene to anthraquinon, etc; and it enables such reactions to be carried out with maximum ields and at minimum operating costs. It is also'adapted, however, for use where the heat changes andenergy transfers are of a lower order, but where the maintenance of a constant, uniform, and' automatically regulated temperature, which have heretofore'been conducted only with difliculty or with. indifferent success can be carried out smoothly and with greatly improved results the present apparatus, whereas reactions which ave been scarcely possible orfeasible heretofore on a commercial scale, are brought within the range of practical and economical operation by the present apparatus.-

e invention will be further described in connection with the embodiments thereof il lustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which a substantially constant and au-' es the reaction zone to be maintained at a substan exothermic req to l is desired. Reactions Fig. 1 illustrates, ina somewhat conve'ntional and diagrammatic manner, an a' ,pa-

ratus embodying the invention, the cata ytic gchambe :tical section and partly in elevation;

r being shown partly in central ver- Fig. 2 is a view ona somewhat reduced scale taken on the line'22 of Fig.- 1, a part only of the catalyzer-tubes being indicated;

'g. 3 shows a-modified form of the a partly in elevation andpartly m Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a further modification, partly in elevation and partly in section:

Fig; 6 is a sectional view on the=line-6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 showsa still further modification of the apparatus, partly in elevation and partly in section; and

of Fig. 7.

8 is a sectional view on the line In the elusive, the same" reference numerals are used as in Fig; 1 for the same or corresponding parts of t In this figure the shell of the converter or .tammg catalyzer chamber is indicated at 1 and is provided with an inlet or inlets 2 ion the gaseous mixture and an outlet 3 for the products of the reaction. It willbc understood that the gaseous mixture is pre ared in'anysuitable way and is supplied 0 the apparatus with the proper pro ortions of the reacting gases or vaporst will also be understood that the reaction roducts are led to a suitable condenser or 0t er suitable means (not shown) -for cooling and recover ing the products of the reaction. The catalyt1c chamber. has an upper compartment or space 4 in which the entering gases can spread out, a central compartment 5, conthe catalyst and part of the temperature regulating system. and a lower compartment 6 for receiving the reaction ing 13 for preventing or gases on their wa from the reaction zone to the outlet. In t e construction illustrated,

the catalyst is contained in a lar e' number of square tubes 8 and is supporte by a perforated plate 7 which permits the passage of gases or vapors therethrough. The space around the tubes 8, is closed at the bottom and top of the tubes by headers or suitable closing means illustrated respective- 1% at 9 and 10, so that the space surrounding t e tubes 8 forms a continuous tem erature regulatin system for containing t e temrature egulating liquid. The tubes 8 are lled with the catalyst 11 to a suitable hei' ht, and the tem erature controlling liquid 12 is supplied to t e temperature regulatin system toa depth slightly more than the epth of the catal st, so that the catalyst in the tubes will e surrounded on all sides b the liquid surrounding the tubes. The to s may advantageously be made of drawn seamless steel tubing and suitably spaced apart at their ends by spacing rods or by headers having suitable openings therein, and the whole'construction is then preferably welded into an integral and unitary structure, which is adapted to withstand either increased or decreased pressure on the temperature regulating system.

' The catalytic chamber is preferably provided with suitable-lagging or heat' insulatreducing the loss of heat by radiation. Suitable heating means, such as an electric heater or heaters modifications of Figs. 3' to 8 in- 25, are also provided for heating the liquid of the temperature regulating system.

A series of reflux i es 15 is connected with the u per part of t e space around the catalyst tu 8 and these reflux tubes are shown as provided with condensers 16 having inlets 17 and outlets 18 for .the circulatin of water or other cooling medium. The

re ux pipes are connected at their upper ends by a header 19 which inturn is connected through the pipe 20 and the pressure regulating valve 21. to a tank 22, which m turn. is connected with a compressor or vacuum pum 28. An expansion chamber 20 may interposed in ipe 20 in case the capacity of the pipe 20, eader 19 etc., is insuflicient to equalize slight momentary fluctuations in pressure. A pet cock 20" on the tank 20' may serve as. a pressure of vacuum release. The pressure in tank 22 may be maintained above that required in the system, the reduction of pressure, or the maintenance of constant pressure for the system bein caused by the valve 21, which may be 0 any of the well known types for this purpose and may be automatic in its operation. Automatic means, not shown, cause the pump 23 to start when the gressure in tank 22 departs a predetcrmine amount from the desired pressure.

In the operation of the apparatus, the catalyst is charged into the catalyst tubes 8 to a suitable height and the tem erature controlling liquid is charged into t e space surrounding the tubes to a height somewhat greater than that of the catalyst, and the .boiling point of the liquid is regulated by regulating the pressure on the system. The reaction zone can then be heated by the electric heaters 25 which raise the liquid to its boiling point, and the liquid in turn heats the catalyst in the tubes 8 to practically the same tem erature. By a proper selection of the liqui and proper regulation andcontrol of the pressure on the system, the boiling point of the liquid is maintained at a temperature approximately that of the catalytic reaction.

For example, in the catalytic oxidation of naphthalene, the proper tem erature for the reaction was found to be in t e neighborhood of 400 C., and since the boiling point of mercury at atmospheric pressure is 357 0., this liquid can be used to particular advantage in the temperature regulating" system.

The boiling point of the mercury can be ingera tiolaheat may air andvaporized naphthalon in regul passes into the to condensation of a y H por s, whereby it reaches the catalyst at sub:

, tion. It then list in the tubes toa point slightly higher .niercur until e mercurybo amount and preheated toa temperature above the dew point of the as h lens, is introduced throu h the inletll pifl 2 and- 8 where, inf 't e empty space above'the catalyst, it is-heated by the part of themercury vaatantially the proper temperatureforreacp through th e' catalyst. When the heat of reaction raises the catathe boiling point of theunercuryl the ils more vigorously, without however c longing its temperature, .and the parts of the space surrounding the tubesS' the mercury. system.

Where the remainder of the va ater the tendency of the temperature of a catalyst to rise above that of the mer- Y cury, the more rapidly-the mercury will boil.

is condensed and returns to the body 'of' 'quid surrounding the catalyst tubes; In

this way the supply of liquid mercury is replenished so that mercury ,isalway's main- .tamed in a liquid statein the reaction zone\ of the two-phase liquid-vapor system. When the reaction is 0mg on a temperature differential is esta fished between the catalyst and boiling mercury such that the temperature of the catalyst remains substantially constant at any desired point,2andthis point can be adjusted by vaiying the pressure on t will be understood that the system is provided suitable pressure gauges and that'the reaction zone is eters' are in is employed for heat removal, absolute rea. as

out through the compartment 6 and the outa (not shown). 'In the case of naphthalene for example, phthalic anhydnde is obtained provided .yvith suitable temperature indicatmg means, such as pyrometers, forrindicating the temperature of the reaction. Suitab e openin for the introduction oi pyromficated at 24. in Fig. 1. The products of the catalytic reaction pass let 3 to a suitable receptacle or condenser as the primary product of the reaction.

'Where the specific heat'of ii fluid is used or where latent heat at a low temperature liance must be placed upon the readings of temperature measuring-instruments such as to indicate the temperature. Should these 4. 9am l "in miliivoltage considerable distance .of the catalyst may considerably above that of the boiling l it uid'." v I,

. temperature at the fail entirely,- the actualtemperature of the a catalyst is unknown and likewise the amount of cooling fluid to be supplie An advantage of the present inventionis that, should the pyrometers fail,'it is not'serious the pressure ap In fact, no pyrometers at all are the catalyst once the heat transfer characteristics of the apparatus are known.

the temperature of the [10' liquid is known from In order to insure that all parts of the catalyst ale maintained Within a temperat-ure range which does not va too tem- 'perature regulating sy that all parts of the catalyst in eiiective range ofthe the catalyst from the sea of cooling surfa mm that boiling liqui I it is important should be withliquid. 'Hany fii i the temperature regulating system,- such ture rise-to a tem flhe cooling system or tem stat-emot- 1115 sylstem should according y be sobute t roglghout the reaction-zone, and the catalyst 'ould'be kept in such subdivided conditioner thin layers, the catalyst will be kept temperature ranggi] function properly within the desired i. e., the apparatus :to ould maintain a catal st int of maximum tance from any coo greater than the permissible temperature range .for the reaction. The 8 aces containing the catalystshould accor n ciently small, or the catalyst me be of suflicient heat conductivity so that all parts of the catalyst may be kept within the proper temperature range. a

With an apparatus such asillustrated Fig. 1 with thetubes 8 inade of square that all parts of "gwall whichisnot drawn seamless steel tubing of about 16 (511mg? wall' and with internal diameter of t e -ub es of about inch, and with the tubes spaced apart a distance of about A inch, between tubes, and'with ja catal stv f which is a ratio of co ng surface to catalyst bulk of about 6.4 square inches of surface to 1 cubic inch of catalyst bulk, and with'the use of mercury in the temperature regulati g 3 tom, it is rea temperature of the catalyst within a hicliis practically nevermol' than 50 w higher than the mercury temperature. andw may not be more than 20 to 30" ich pizimd heat conductor, and wi a o .7 P e maintain the higher than such boiling temperature. The t variation of any from hour to hour is relatively small, for example,

not more than about 8 to 5, even in such highly'eirothermic reactions as the one point in the catalyst oxidation of benzene to maleic acid. 'This,,

temperature regulation, cally automatic, so that the reaction as a moreover, is -practiwhole can be consideredto take place at subsuch catalytic oxidation The provision of an electric heater 25 for jcally maintained'ther welding of the a paratus lene,

of atmospheric,

stantially a constant, uniform and automatically regulated temperature.' The apparatus accordingly requires a minimum. of attention, only occasional adwstment of the valves controlling the ,feed of the reaction mixture being necessary, while the ressure of the mercury system .can be maintained substantially constant with only-occasional su rvision and adjustment. p

in Fig. 1 has e apparatus illustrated been found highly satisfactory catalytic oxidation of the benzene, na hthatoluene and anthracene, and enab es improved yields f of the desired products of partial oxidation thereof to be obtained. In

reactions, the cata- 1 st used will, of course, be one appropriate 1; ereto. Vanadium oxide, for example, .distributed upon a suitable carrier, is .well adapted for use in such catalytic reactions of artial oxidation. I have found it particuarly advantageous to use a. carrier for the catalyst which is a good heat conductor; for example, igrained aluminum, as a carrier for vanadium oxide or other appropriate oxidizing catalyst, since the good heat conducting qualities of such a catalyst enable the temp and maintained Within the proper limits.

Where the temperature regulating system is to be maintained under a greatly reduced pressure, or at a pressure greatly in excess it is important that the appgratus be so constructed that it is capable o uum or pressure. It is also important that the temperature regulating system should be a closed system, such perature can be continually and automatiin. The use of drawn er described, and the tfigether, enables the apparatus tomade s ciently strong to withstand considerable variations'in pressure. The use of square tubes arranged in the manner illustrated also provides a large cooling surface tubes of the charac surface to catalyst bulk while a small but so safety explosion flange nevertheless sufiicient space is left between the tubes 'to insure cOntinuous'cOntact of liquid .mercury with the cooling surfaces. By using seamless metal 'wall is possible without sacrificing mechanical strength, thereby making possible the use of pressure orvacuum in theregulating system without sacrifice of the speed of heat transfer through the tube walls.

-As a precaution against explosion, the catalytic chamber may beprovidedwith a. 14 which will give way at a relatively low increase in pressure, and thereby prevent injury to the catalytic chamber.

for use in the erature to be morereadily regulated to the headers 9 and 10.

withstanding the desired degree of vac-' that the desired tem:

and ahi'gh ratio of cooling.

drawn tubing, a thin tack iron at high tem eratures,

catal st is heating the shell of the catalytic chamber enables heat to be. supplied to the. temperatare-regulating system, and 'through it to the catalyst, at the beginning of the process, or at such time as the suPPly of heat may be desired; while the automatic temperature regulating system nevertheless revents the tem rature from rising too hi regardless of t e amount of heat so supplied or by the heat of the catalytic reaction, inasmuch as any increase in heat merely causes more rapid boiling of the mercury, and inasmuch as a continual supply of liquid mercury is maintained by the condensation and return of the me cury vapors. The apparatus will according y function in acontinuous and automatic manner even with considerable variation in the rate of flow of the reacting gases and in the resulting heat of reaction.

The apparatus 0 Figs. 3 and 4 is "a modified construction in which the tubes 10 are similar to the tubes 10 of Fig. 1 but in which the shell or jacket is of cylindrical instead of square sha e. A cylindrical jacket or shell permits t e use of much higher pressures on the 'boiling'liqm'd and consequently allows" a greater ran e of reaction temperature with the same iquid, and a consequent greater latitude in adaptability of the apparatus to various reactions. The tubes 10 may be suitably spaced apart, for example, by welding them at their ends An :1 paratus thus suitabl constructed is capab e of use under wide y varying pressure conditions, for example, from high vacua to ressures of as much as 250 lbs. or more. By using mercury in the tem crature regulating system, and by suitab y varying and regulat ing the pressure, catalytic operations can be carried out at widely varying temperatures,

should'be constructed of a material which is not injuriously afi'ected by the liquid. In

the case of'sulfur, the vapors of which atthe apparawe can be constructe of aluminum, which is not injuriously affected by the boiling sulfur or sulfur vapors. In the apparatus of Figs. 5' and 6, the contained in round. tubes 8", whic ma be made of seamless drawn steel tubing w th their ends suitabl secured to the tubes sheets 9 and.10. e shell 1" may also be strengthened by angle iron as shown. j r

The apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6 is generally-similarin its construction and "operatubes.

tion to that of Fi land 2, but the pro.- vision-of round'tu instead of rectangul tubes enables the tubes tobe rolled into a tube sheetasfiu ordinary boiler construe-- tion or to be welded thesame as square It will be evident that the apparatus ofilhis modification, as well as the ap aratus;

of Figs. 1. to 4, may be varied, in itsfcon structmn. for example, m the number, len 'th, size and arrangei'uent. of the tubes,

an in the-size of the a .pa'ratus audits construction and the spacing of the tubes therein, within the limits of mechanical construction, and of heat transference required for any particular reaction. I

In the apparatus of Figs.

row tubes or slots 8 which-may be constructed for example, of sheet'metal. 1 These compartments orslots are-open at the to i and bottom and are separated from eac other and have the s are between them at the ends closed by suitable headers or closing means 9 and 10 -to which thecom liartments ortubes are welded. The cata-.

vst is supported in the compartments by the perforated plate 7 which extends over the whole bottom of the'tube or compartment section. The tem erature-controllin liquid is charged into to space surroun ing =the catalyst tubes or compartments.

This space is a continuous compartment consisting of the slots "between 'the catalyzer tubes and the two slots at the ends of the catalyzer tubes; That is, the spaces between the catalyzer tubes communicate with each other through the common end slots so that all of the liquid compartments are inter.- coimnunirating, andso that the li uid will be charged to a uniform level. v be construction and operation of this modifi constrnction of apparatus is generally similar to that above described. a

lVitli the various constructions of apparatus illustrated, as the liquid boils m the compartment or compartments surrounding the catalyst tubes, the vapors pass into the upper part of the compartment or compart lncnls'avhere they serve to reheat the incoming reaction gases, and w are the va ors may be themselves. in, part condensed. fihe nucondcnsecl vapor then passes out into the reflux pipes and toi the reflux condensers whcre'itis condensed and *returned'.

I f the. apparatus is, re erlyconstructed and madetight, and ii efli ized liquid can be condensed andreturned, and the su ply of liquid ,thereby continual ly replcnis red. In the case of mercul for 'example, thc apparatus has been use over long periods of operation with practically no mercury lo ss.

7 and 8, the catalyst is-arrange'din a series oflong'narcient condensing means is used, substantiallyall of the iraporin It will be evident that the necessary temperatureregulating effect required erly regulatiiigithe temperature Wlll vary with d fferent: catalytic reactions. Where there is a lar amount of heatofreaction to be absorbs .and neutralizedi'the ratio of cooling surfaces to catalyst bu k (the latter bein taken as a measure of the of. pr ucing exothermic heat ofreaction); 7

nrust begreaterthan for other reactions in for propv whicha smaller amount of heat'of reaction is generated. In order to assure substantia uniformity of temperature in .the catalytic mass, the cata] st should be sufiiciently distributed. throng out i the temperature regulating system, or'the temperature regu lating means should be sulliclently distrlbuted throughout the catalyst mass, or should be in 'suiiiciently intimate heat interch ing relation therewith, that all arts of t 0 catalyst will be suh'ected. to t e temperature regulatin in uence of the boiling liquid, and so that the parts of the catalyst most remote from the coolmg surfaces of the system will not have too' at a tem- Fcrature' difference from that o the boiling 111 o 'J 1 While I have described and illustrated the" preferred embodiments of the invention with consider 'le particularity, yet it will be understoo limited to-the specific construction and (g)- eration which is thus illustrated and that the invention is not,

scribed, and that variations and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparb Jug from the spiritand scope of the inven' tion the accompany I drawings it"will be seen that the present Invention provides an im- From the foregoing description and from proved catalytic apparatus which is par-' ticularly adapted for use in the carryingout of catalytic of the temperature within, certain limits; and that the apparatus of the present invention enables such temperature to be controlled in a substantial] continuous and automatic manner. It on be seen that the present invention provides what maybe considered a constant temperature reser mic or. series of reservoirs .so arranged and distributed in the zone -of reactionswhich require control 'reaction, and Reconstructed and operated A ing system, withresulting; control been 7. also enables heat to be supplied to the reac tion zoneto supplem'e I tion, or to enablc'reactions to be earned out,

any desired temperature of-strongly exot can be continually and automatical y boiling temperature of the quid enab'le the temperature to be maintainedrconstant at over a 1 wide tern;

perature range. 1

It will furthermore be scent hat the. es-

ent, invention provides an aptgiratus w ich" is not'only adapted for sheer ing the heat temperatures venting excessive reactions, but that it tion zones of such t the heat of reacthereto which require heat; to be supplied plied to and that the heat is moreover su the reaction under regulated conditions such without rise in temperature of. the liquid may be adjusted toand this temperature I widely diiierent values by the application of thepro or pressure thereto. The actual design, physical properties and relative dimensions of the integral parts of an ap-} paratus depend uponthe class and amount of reaction which is proposed for operation therein. All parts of the catalyst similarly disposed in relation to the cooling surface Wlll have like temperatures irrespective of, the heat evolution. The diameters of the tubes or slots, the relation of catalyst bulk to heat removing surfaces, and theheatconductivity of the, catalyst mass are interdependent with the amount of heat which is to be eyolved therein, and these must be in a proper relation to obtain a permissible temperature rangewithin the individual masses of catalyst.

This application is a continuation in part of m copending application Ser, No; 303,-

ed June 11, 1919, temperature control inchemical reactions. r I .claim:

l. A catalytic apparatus comprising a catalytic chamber and a two-phase liquidvapor temperature regulating, system for regulating the actions may be'promoted, and meansfor' regulating the pressure on said system.

2.- A catalytle apparatus comprising acatalytic chamber and a, two-phase liqu dvapor temperatureregulatingstem for regulating 'the'tempera-ture in sai catalytic chamber, whereby the desired chemical re actions may be promoted, and meansfor e'ondensing and returning liquid vaporized in said system.

arranged in said c ermic reactions, and of pr'em the race-- heat of reaction can be absor liquid aporiZed in said system,

temperature in said catalytic; chamber whereby the desired chemical 1e- 'in the catayzercham prising a two-phase liquid-vapor system dis Lemmas 3. A catalytic apparatus comprising a catalyze;- chamber or compartment, a twophase llqu'd-vapor. temperature regulating system-xvi h the li uid phase of the system 7 amber or com artmcnt, and condensing means outside sai chamber 161' compartment for condensing and returning vaporized liquid.

4. A catalytic apparatus comprising a cata- ,lvzer chamber or compartment containing,

the catalyst, a two-phase liquid vapor system for. regulating the temperature of the catalyst, said system having its liquid phase inti; mately distributed with respect to, the differentparts of the catalyst so that .all parts of the catalyst are subjectedto the temperature regulatin influence of the system, and said system being provided with means. for maintaining a continual supply of liquid in heat interchangingrelationwith the catalyst and means in saidsystem', whereby lar e quantities of ted by the bpiling of the liquid in the temperature regulating system Without change of temperature.

5. A catalytic apparatus comprising a catalyzer chamber or com artment. contain-t ing the catalyst, a twop1ase li uid-vapor tem eraturc regulating system distributed in t e catalyzer chamber in heat interchanging relation. with the catalyst wherebythe desired chemical reactions may be promoted, and means for condensing and returning ent parts of the liquid and vapor the system each other.

phases of being in communlcatlon with for regulating the pressure 6. A catalytic apparatus comprising a catalyzer chamber or compartment containing the catalyst, a series of liquid-contain- ,ing compartments distributed through the 'catalyzer chamber in heat interchanging relatlon with the catalyst therein. means for condensing and returning the liquid va-, orized. in said compartments, and ,means or regulating the pressure and thereby the boiling point of the liquid in said compartments.

'7. A catalytic apparatus comprising a ,catalytlc chamber, a two-phase liquid-vapor temperature regulating system for regulat-- ing the temperature in' said catalytic chamber of the apparatus whereby the desired chemical reactions may be promoted, means for condensing'a'nd returning the liquid vaorized in said system, and means for rcgu atingthe pressure and thereby the boiling point of the li uid in said system.

8. A catalytic apparatus comprising a catalvzer chamber or compartment containing the catal st-thereinidgnd-means for heat.

' r, said means comtributed througlh the catnlyzer chamber. means for regu atlng the pressure in said rorized in said system an 1mm a .YF m and means for hea the lid in y m being adapted ii-width I sald system to its boiling point and ereby variation iii the pressure therein, and means heating the cat'alyzer chamber to a similar for producing and maintaining wide ,diftemperature. ferences of ilressure in said system at differ- 9. A catalytic apparatus comprising, a cut times, t ereby varying andaregulating catalyzer chamber or compartmeut'contain-- the boiling point of the liquid in saidsys- 70 big a catalyst therein, a two-phase liquidtem, whereby the temperature in the catavagor temperature regulating system dis- =lytic chamber can be varied. tri uted in the catalyzcr chamber in heat 15. A catalytic apparatusfcomprising a interchanging relation with the catalyst catalyzer chamber or compartment, a twotherein, heatmg meansjor heating the liquid phase liqtiidvapor temperature regulating imsaid system to its boil ng point, means for system for regulatingthe-temperature in the condensing and returning the h u1d vacatalyzerchamber whereby the desired means or reg'uchemical'reaetions may-[be promoted a lesting the pressure 1n. said system. flux condenserjarra d. above the uid- '10. A catalytic apparatus comprising -a phase of the system or condcnsing'an recatalyzer chamber oaliompartmcnt, a twoturning vaporized liquid, and-pressurercgm' phase liquid-vapor perature regulating lating means connected to-said condenser. system with the'liqu d-' base of the system 16.. A catalytic apparatus comprising a in heat interchangmgre ation with the catacatalyzer chamber or compartment having liner in said chamber whereby the desired an inlet at its top for the gaseousreaction catalyzer chamber or compartment,a two before it reaches the cata emical reactions may promoted. and mixture andan outlet at its bottom for the means for bringing an Incoming gaseous. reaction products, a two-phase li aid-vapor mixture into heat interchanging relation temperature re lating system aving its withthe vapor-phase of the system before liquidbase in iiaat interchanging relation such mixture comes in contact with the catawrtlit e catalyst in said chamber, and hav lyst. 'n its vaporuse in heat interchanging 11. A catalytic apparatus comprising 'a r l;

t-ion wlth -t e incoming 1gaseous mixture yst, condensing phase liquid-yapor tem eratu re regulatlng means arranged above the catalyzer chamber stem with its liquid-p use in heat mterfor :condensmg' and returning vaporized gl ianging relation with the catalyzer, means liquid which may not he condensed by the for reheating the incomlng gaseous mixture cooling effect of the incoming gaseous mixby die vapors in the vapor-phase of the systure, and pressure regulating. means connecttomand additional condensing means for ed to said condensing means. condensing the vapors in the vapor-phase of 17. A catalytic apparatus comprising athe system. a catalyzer chamber'or' compartment, 0. two 12. A catalytic apparatus comprisinga phase liquid-valpor temperature regulating vertically arranged catalyzer chamber or system for regu ating' the temperature in the compartment having aninlet for the gaseous catalyser chamber whereby the desired reaction mixture at the top and an outlet for chenncalmactions may be romoted, the said the products of reaction at the bottom, a system containing llqui 'mercury in its two-phase liquid-vapor temperature regulathquid phase, and a condenser arranged to .ing system with its liquid base in heat 1n condense and return vaporized mercury. terchanging relation with t e catalyst 1n said 18. A catalytic apparatus comprising a ing system for regu chamber and with its vapor-phase arranged (atalyzer chamber or'compnrtm'ent having a in said chamber above the liquid phase and layer of catalyst therein, supported upon 'a in heat interchangi g relat on with the inperforated support permittmg' the assa e comin gaseous mlxture. V 'ofthe gaseousreaction mixturetheret roug 13 i catalytic apparatus comprising a a two-phaseliqliliid-vapor temperature re u eatalyzer ehamberor compartment contamlating system, avingits liquid-phase disin a catalyzer in a series ofcompartments, tributedin heat inlffchaliging relation, with an% a two-phase liquid-vapor temperatuac the catalyst, and cans or condensing the regulating .'system with its li uld-phase 1n vapors in the vapor-phase of the system and heat interchanging relation wit the catalyst returning the condensed vapors to'the liquid and arranged to surround the compartments phase 0 the system. containing the catalyst, and means for regu- 19. A, catalytic apparatus comprising a lating the pressure in said system. catalyzer chamber or compartment, a two- 14.11 catalytic apparatus comprising a phase liquid vapor temperature regulating catalyzer chamber or compartment m a system with its liquid-p ass in heatQinter' two-phase liquid-valpor'temperature reg'ulatciangmgrelatlon vwlth thecatalyst in said ating the temperature in chamber, means-for condensmg vapors in the catalytic chamber whereby the desired the vapor-phasepf the system and returning 'chemical' reactions, may be promoted, said the condensed vapors to the liquid-phase, I

' tern of the chamber.

and the liquid-phase of the system having a suflicient surface in heat interchanging re lation with the catalyst, and being suficients 1y distributed with respect to thecatalyst, so that all parts of the catalyst are maintained within a temperature ran a proxunatin that of the boiling point 0 the quid in sai system.

20. A catalytic apparatus comprising a catalyzer chamber or compartment, a two phase liquid-vapor temgfrature re at1ng system with its liquid-p ase mihea interchan 'ng relation with the catalyst in 88:1(1 cham er and suchsystem being so distribad with res set w the catalyst that all of the parts of t e catalyst are subjected to the tem 'rature regulating influence of the same, an the ratio of thesurfa'ce ofthe hqu ldphase of the system to catalyst bulk beui such that more than threesquare inches 0 surface are re resented for each cubic inch of catalyst bu a 21. A catalytic apparatus comprising a c atalyzer chamber or compartment having a layer of catalyst therein, a two-phase liquidvapor temperature regulating s stem for re lating thetemperature in sal chamber, said system having a series of intercommunicating com artments containing the uid distributed t rough the layer of cata yst and maintained 0 a depth not less than the depth of the layer of catalyst, the system having a part of its vapor-phase in said chamber, and condensing means outsidethe chamber connected to the va or space within the chamber, whereby t e vapors escaping irom the chamber are condensed and returned to the liquid-phase of the sys 22. A catalytic apparatus comprising a catalyzer chamber or compartment havin a ,layer of catalyst supported upon a per 0- 'rated sup ort, a series of compartments distributed t irough the layer '0 catalyst and containing li uid to a. epth not less than the depth of t e catalyst there, said compartments communicating with'each, other and having a va or space above the liquid and a reflux con enser connected with such vapor space for condensing the vapors and returning the condensed vapors. s Q

23. A catalytic apparatus for carrying out exothermic'gas phase catalytic oxidation reactions of organic compounds, comprisinga catalyzer chamber or compartment containing a catalyst adapted for such oxidation reactions, a temperature regulating system having a liquid-containing compartment in heat interchanging relation with the catalyst in the catalyzer chamber whereby the desired chemical reactions may be promoted, and a definite quantity of liquid mercury circulating in a closed circuit in such system, whereby the heat of the exothermic action is absorbed by the boiling of the mercury at a accuse 'terch'angin relation with temperature approximating that of the-cab alytic reaction.

24. A catalytic apparatus for carrying 'out exothermic gas phase catalytic oxidation re actions of organic; compounds, comprising a catalyzer chamber or compartment, a catalyst in saidchamber adapted for such ox-, idation'rea'etions, a'two-p ase liquid-vapor temperature regulating s stem containing liquid mercury mits liqui phase in heat inthe catalyst inthe catalyzerfl c amber, and condensi means for condensing and returnin vaporized mercury, whereby the heat 0 the exothermic action is absorbed b the boiling of the mer-' cury and whereb t e suppl' 0 liquid mercury is continua yreplenished by the condensed vapors. I

-25. A catalytic apparatus for carrying out exothermic gas phase catalytic oxidation reactions/of organic compounds, comprising a catalyzer chamber orcompartment contaming a catalyst adapted for such oxidation reactions, a two-phase liquid-vapor temperature regulating system containing liquid mercury in its liquid phase in heat interchanging relation with the catalyst in the catalyzer chamber, a condenser for mercury yapors, and pressure regulating means for varying and regulating the pressure on said system and the boiling\ point of the mercury therein, whereby t e heat of the exothermic reaction is absorbed b the boiling of the mercur and the suppy of mercur' replenished y the condensed va ors an whereby the tem rature of the boiling mercury can be varie and controlled by the peratures in chemical reactions, parallel rodlike masses of catal ic material surrounded on their sides by aquid and means to condense-vapors from said 1i uidand return the condensate to said liqui 27. In an ap aratus for controlling temperatures in c emical reactions, parallel,

slender rod-like masses of catalyt c material surrounded on their sides by liquid mercury and means to condense vapors from said mercury and return the condensate to the liquid mercury. r 3

- 28 In an apparatus of the class described,

catalytic material, means or bringing reacting gases into contact with said catalytic materia means for removing heat from the zone of reaction as latent heat of vaporization of ab uid, and applying it to said gases before ey come into contact with said catalyst..

29. In an apparatus ofthe class described, catalytic material, means for bringi reacting es into contact with said cata ytic materia means for removing heat from the zone of reaction as latent heat of vaporization of a liquid, .and applying it to said gases beinto contact with said catal cata fore they come into contact with said catalyst,- and means for varying the pressure on said liquid. I

30. In an apparatus of the class described,

a 1i uid container, liquid in said container,

lytic material in contact with said container, and means for bringing reacting .gases into contact with-another portion of said container before bringing said gases ic materia a li uid con-tamer, closed at its lower end,-

liquld in said container, catalytic material in contact with the lower portionof said container, a means for bringing reacting gases into contact with a higher part of sald container, and then into contact with said catalytic material.

In testimony whereof I afiix m si ature. R. O S.

gases into contact withanother portion of said container before bringing said ases 31. In an apparatns of the elass described,

a liquid container, closed at its lower end liquid in said container, catalytic material in contact with the lower portion of said container, a meansfor brin ing reacting gases into contact with a higher part of and container, and then into contact with said catalytic material. V

ature.

In testimony whereof I aflix msi into contact with said catalytic materia Certificate of Correction;

It is hereb certified that in Letters Patent No. 1 ,60 4,7:39, anted October 26, 1926, upon 11; ap lication of Charles R. Downs,of Chfi S1qB,%BW Jersey, for an improvement in pparatus for Promoting Oatalvtie Reactions, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, l ne 80, for the word relations readreactions; page 4, line 85, for the word of read-or; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with these correctlons-therem that the same ma conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiiee.

Sign and sealed this 16th day of November, A. D. 1926.

[em] l M. J. MOORE,

Acting Uonmtdseioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,604,739, granted October 26, 1926, upon the application of Charles R. Downs, of Clifi'side, New Jersey, for an improvement in Apparatus for Promoting Catalvtic Reactions, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correctlon as follows: Page 1, line 80, for the word relations read reactions page 4, line 85, for the word of read or; and that the said Ietbers Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same ma conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of November, A. D. 1926.

[snark] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

